
Leaders Shaping Global Hospitality 2025
Leadership is about setting an example, caring for your team, and always striving to create memorable experiences for every guest.
Rabih Melhem is a true leader in the hospitality industry. With over 30 years of experience, he has worked with some of the biggest hotel brands around the world. His passion for making guests happy and his ability to lead teams have helped him succeed and earn many awards.
Rabih started his career in the early 1990s in California, working in restaurants. He loved meeting people from different places and quickly moved up to supervisory roles. While working at Hyatt Hotels, he gained valuable experience in food, drink, and management. He also studied hospitality management to learn even more.
In 2000, Rabih moved to the Middle East to work with Rotana Hotels. He helped the company grow from just a few hotels to over 80 properties across the region. His hard work and leadership played a big role in this success. Over the years, he has also worked with other top brands like Marriott and Taj Hotels. His efforts have earned him awards like “Best General Manager” both regionally and worldwide.
Today, Rabih is the General Manager of Rosh Rayhaan by Rotana in Riyadh. The hotel is known for its luxury and excellent service. Under Rabih’s guidance, the hotel has received many awards for its high quality. He focuses on making every guest’s stay special, whether they are visiting for business or leisure.
Rabih believes in building strong teams. He invests in training his staff so they can provide the best service. He also uses new technology to improve the guest experience and cares about being environmentally friendly. His goal is to create a hotel that is both luxurious and responsible.
Rabih’s leadership style is about setting a good example. He communicates openly with his team and encourages everyone to share their ideas. He believes happy and engaged staff lead to better guest experiences. To keep his team motivated, he celebrates successes and offers opportunities to learn new skills.
He also works hard to solve problems like staff shortages by training employees well and creating a friendly, inclusive workplace. Rabih stays updated with the latest technology and industry trends to keep his hotel competitive.
Rabih cares about sustainability. He has introduced eco-friendly practices like reducing waste, saving energy, and supporting local suppliers. He believes that hotels can be both luxurious and good for the environment. He also encourages his team to be respectful and kind to guests and the community.
Rabih understands that technology can make a big difference. He supports using tools like data analysis and smart systems to personalize each guest’s stay. This helps guests feel special and makes their experience more memorable.
He also focuses on wellness, offering activities and spaces that help guests relax and stay healthy. By combining technology, sustainability, and wellness, Rabih aims to create a hotel experience that guests love.
Rabih’s success shows that good leaders listen to their teams, adapt to change, and stay committed to their goals. He believes in leading by example, working hard, and caring about people. He encourages his staff to share ideas and grow with the company.
Looking to the future, Rabih believes hospitality will become more innovative, sustainable, and focused on guest wellness. He urges other leaders to embrace new ideas and always put guests and the environment first.
In summary, Rabih Melhem is a leader who combines experience, passion, and responsibility. His work inspires others to create better, more caring hotels that make a difference in people’s lives.